Human Hepatoma HuH-7 Cells Proliferation and Migration Induced by DEHP and Its Inhibition by Metformin

Objective To explore the role of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in inducing the proliferation and migration of human hepatoma HuH-7 cells and metformin inhibitory effect.

Methods Cell morphology-based observation and MTT assay (for assessing cellular activity) were used to determine DEHP-induced proliferation and the inhibitory effect of metformin and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor (LY294002). The wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay were used to assess DEHP-induced migration of HuH-7 cells and the inhibitory effect of metformin and LY294002.

Results DEHP at 40 and 80 μg/mL significantly promoted the proliferation of HuH-7 cells as compared with that in control group (P < 0.05); and the proliferation was inhibited by metformin at 10 mg/mL and LY294002 at 50 μmol/L (P < 0.05). The wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay proved that DEHP induced HuH-7 cell migration (P < 0.05), which was inhibited by metformin and LY294002 (P < 0.05).

Conclusion DEHP can promote the proliferation and migration of human hepatoma HuH-7 cells; metformin can inhibit the proliferation and migration, and therefore playsaprotective role.